Piston valve structure for wind instruments



A. J. JOHNSON 1,821,641

PISTON VALVE STRUCTURE FOR WIND-INSTRUIENTS Filed Aug. 26, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR Wfrrd c/. Jab/r5017 A TTORNE YS Sept; 1, 1931., A. J. JOHNSON PISTON VALVE STRUCTURE FOR WIND INSTRUIENTS Filed Aug. 26, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVEA ITOR Wllm c/T Job/won Patented Sept. 1, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ALFRED J. JOHNSON, OF GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR TO YORK BAND INSTRU- MENT COMPANY, OF GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN PISTON VALVE STRUCTURE FOR WIND INSTRUMENTS Application filed August 26, 1329.

This invention relates to piston valve structures for wind musical instruments. The objects of the invention are:

First, to provide an efficient improved spiral reciprocatory piston valve movement.

Second, to provide such a valve structure with the cylinders or shells and piston constructed of metal, the grain of which is spirally disposed to lessen friction.

Third, to provide such a valve structure with improved portages in the piston and cylinders therefor.

Fourth, to provide air passages with direct full ports to and from the air diversion tubes and a spiral non-reversed direction through the instrument.

Fifth, to provide in such a structure an improved portage in the piston to facilitate slurring.

Sixth, to provide improved noiseless guide means for controlling the spiral movement of the piston.

Seventh, to provide improved spr ng means for assisting in the control of the spiral movement of the piston, and bumper spring to increase the momentum when the piston is in motion by the player.

Eighth, to provide improved nolseless ashion means.

Ninth, to provide improved drainage structures.

Tenth, to provide improved oiling and lubricating means so arranged that the saliva and lubricant will be returned to lubricate the piston and prevent the same going dry, due in part to the left hand splral relation of the piston in its operation.

Objects pertaining to details and economies of construction and operation will definltely appear from the description to follow. A preferred embodiment of my improved valve structure and assembly is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is an enlarged detail elevation view of the piston valve assembly of a French horn, Cornet or similar instrument from the direct air passage side.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the same showing 50 the air diverting tube sections indicated dia- Serial NO. 388,565.

grammatically and their relative length indicated by dotted lines.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail vertical sec tional elevation view on the irregular plane indicated by line 33 in Figs. 1, 2, 5 and 6, the piston valve being in up position.

Fig. 4 is a similar detail sectional view with the piston valve depressed and consequently advanced through a quarter turn, the piston valve being shown in full lines, and the spiral grain of the metal being shown.

Fig. 5 is a detail sectional plan with the key not depressed, taken on line 55 of Figs. 1 and 3, the piston and ports being arranged for the direct flow of the air.

F ig. 6 is a detail sectional View on line 68 of Figs. 1 and 3 with the key not depressed, showing the air diverting tube shut off.

Fig. 7 is a detail sectional view on line 77 of Fig. 4 with key depressed, showing the portage and air circulation through the air diverting tube and thence on through the instrument;

Fig. 8 is a. detail sectional view on line 88 of Fig. 4 with key depressed, showing in detail the valve connection to the lower run of the air diverting tube.

Fig. 9 is an enlarged detail of the upper end of the piston and the shell of the cylinder showing the spiral guide groove and the guide runner to cause the spiral movement of the valve piston when depressed, the spiral grain of the metal being shown.

Fig. 10 is a sectional plan View of the piston and guide member taken on line 1010 of Fig. 9.

Fig. 11 is an enlarged detail view of the spring tension means for the guide means taken on line 1111 of Fig. 10, showing details of the spring tension and take up means for the eccentric guides.

The valve assembly is illustrated in Fig. 1. 10 is the air inlet delivery thereto, the air coming from the mouth of the player by the usual structure not detailed. 3, 4 and 5 are air diverting tube sections connected to the valve cylinders 6, 7 and 8 respectively. 9, 9 are the obliquely disposed direct air connections between cylinders 6 and 7, and between 7 and 8. 11 is the outlet delivery from cylinder 8.

. travel.

Cylinders 6, 7 and 8 are precisely the same eX- cept for their connections to the direct air flow. Cylinder 6 receives the air supply from the mouthpiece connection and delivers through a connection 9 to cylinder 7. Cylinder 7 receives air from cylinder 6 through said connection 9 and delivers thinugh a connection 9 to cylinder 8 and cylinder 8 delivers to the main tube and horn not shown.

Cylinders 6, 7 and 8 are identical and cylinder 6 will be described. The upper end is surrounded by a tubular shell 60. 61 is a screw threaded head provided with a central hub 62 which has a central bore provided with a bearing bushing 63. 64 is the bottom head provided with a central hub 65 having an axial screw threaded bore 66. Formed within is an annular groove 67 for the collection of saliva and waste lubricantwhich is drained through the lever drain valve 68. These cylinders are made of metal with spiral grain correspondin in direction to the direction of travel thereo 12, 12 and 12 are the valve pistons which are identical in all the cylinders 6, 7 and 8 as are all the other connected parts on each cylinder piston. These are of metal with spiral grain corresponding to the direction of spiral Consequently one only will be described.

In the up position the portage provides the direct connections through the direct air connections 9 receiving air through the inlet 10 and delivering through the outlet 11'. 13 is a cross passage with ports 131, 132 through the upper part of the valve piston 12 and is out of register and closed when the valve is in up position. 4

14 is a spiral passage extending-a quarter way round with upper port 141 and lower port 142, there being a narrow strip 143 sepa rating the two ports 141 and 142 of much less cross section than either port. This is of advantage in the proper manipulation of the instrument as it permits slurring during the manipulation without materially obstructing the air passage while shifting from one port to the other.

In the up position passage 14 provides the direct connection and passage of the air which enters cylinder 6 through connection 10 into lower valve port 142 through the passage 14 and out at port 141 into the upper part of direct connection 9, thence downwardly to cylinder 7 through that connection into the port 142 in the second piston valve, upwardly through its passage 14 and out through its port 141 to the second connection 9, and down wardly to the cylinder 8 to its valve port 142,

. upwardly through its passage 14 and out through port 141 to the delivery 11.

15 is a key-piece, preferably of aluminum, provided for each valve piston 12 which is provided with a central screw threaded cap 151 which is threaded onto a key stem 152 which is a tubular journaled sleeve provided with a projecting flange 153 at the bottom.

The valve piston 12 is tubular in form and provided with an apertured main flanged head 121 inserted within the piston and provided with a vertical central pin 122 which is journaled on the lacy stem sleeve 152. The stem 152 is retained in position by the shouldered cap screw 1 2 in the top of pin 122. A feltor leather cushion and lubri *ation pad 154 is provided under the flange 153. A cushion spring 155 with embracing cap 156 with felt washers 157 at each end puts tension on the parts and takes up slack motion.

T he key stem 152 reciprocates through the bushing 62 in hub 63 at the center of cylinder head 61, the hub extending upwardly to contact with a felt cushion pad 168 in the key button.

124 is a flanged cover plate for the top 01 the piston shell 12, having a central aperture for the key stem and cushion springs and ports towards the outside for the air to pass. The lower end of piston 12 is arovided with aflauged head 125 aperture towards the periphery and with an annular seat 126 for the return spring and, with the piston ends, a recess therefor. At the center is a seat 127 for a cushion pad 128.

he piston valve 12 in each instance has a spiral motion as it is depressed. A spiral spring 16 of inverted conical form is supported on an adjustable base 17 having a central hub 171 which the bottom coil of the spring engages frictionally, This base 17 has a screw threaded bore. A central screw stem 17 2 engages said base. It is also screw threaded in the hub 65 of the head 64 and locked in position by lock nut 17 3 for adjustment of the key tension. A cup 174 is at the top oit' stem 172 and carries a short stifi' coil spring buffer 175 that contacts and reacts against pad 128.

The upper end of spring 16 is expanded into the piston 12 on seat 126 so that the top coil expands and frictionally engages the same. hen the piston 12 is depressed it compresses the spring which yields in that direction and is also subjected to torsion which tends to turn the valve piston on its return movement, thereby facilitating its action and lessening the friction. When buffer spring 175 is contacted it provides a strong return cushion.

The spiral movement is accomplished by a spiral guide groove 19 in the upper end of the cylinder 6 within which operates eccentric slide runner 20 which is carried by the valve piston on oscillating pivot pin 201 pivoted in boss 202. The runner 20 is eccentric in that it is provided with laterally projecting arms 208 which are held yieldingly in contact with the sides of the guide groove 19. This is accomplished by a cross arm 204 through pin 201, looped about post 206 and held yieldingly in place by coil spring 205 on said threaded post 206 on piston head 121. A screw nut 207 serves to adjust the same. (See Figs. 9, 10 and 11. This guide runner is always held yieldingly in contact with the sides of the guide groove 19 so that when the piston is depressed it will be rotated because of this guide runner engaging the guide groove 19 carrying the same spirally down. Because of the tension of the spring there is no lost motion between the parts. Consequently there is no noise and very smooth action results. There is a pair of these guide structures which insures equal action.

So that the piston valve 12 may be readily oiled, I provide an oil hole 22 which turns to register with the concealed port 23 to permit oiling of the piston.

I desire to state that my improved structure can be greatly modified without departing from my invention. However the specific form in which I have illustrated it is of great advantage and I desire to claim the same specifically and also broadly as pointed out in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. In a piston valve assembly for wind instruments, the combination of a plurality.

of cylinders, direct air receiving connection thereto and air delivery connection therefrom, obliquely disposed downwardly curved direct air connections between the said cylinders whereby there is air receiving and air delivery connection to and from each cylinder identical in form, an air diversion loop tube for each cylinder with its ends connected to each of said cylinders having the discharge above the intake the upper of which is opposite the air delivery port from the cylinder and the lower of which is below the valve portages of the piston valve in normal up position, a spirally rotatable piston valve in each of said cylinders with cross passage and ports for connecting the upper end of the diversion tube with direct delivery connection when in depressed position and closed in up position, and a spirally disposed passage extending quarter round in said piston with upper port disposed to connect alternately with the air delivery connection in up position and with the air receiving connection for the cylinder in depressed position and the lower port of which is adapted to connect alternately with the air receiving connection of the cylinder in its up position and with the lower connection to the air diversion tube when in its down position providing for the air to be advanced in an easy curved spiral course through both the direct and diverted loops, the said ports being in close proximity to permit slurring.

2. In a piston valve assemblyfor wind in-- struments, the combination oi a plurality of cylinders, direct air receiving connection thereto and air delivery connection therefrom, obliquely disposed downwardly curved direct air connections betw en the said cylinders whereby. there is air receiving and air delivery connection to and from each cylinder identical in form, an air diversion loop tube for each cylinder with its ends connected to each of said cylinders having the discharge above the intake, the upper of which is opposite the air delivery port from the cylinder and the lower of which is below the valve in normal up position portages of the piston valve, a spirally rotatable piston valve in each or" said cylinders with cross passage and ports for connecting the upper end of the diversion tube with direct delivery connection when in depressed position and closed in up position, and a spirally disposed passage extending quarter round in said piston with upper port disposed to connect alternately with the air delivery connection in up position and with the air receiving connection for the cylinder in depressed position and the lower port of which is adapted to connect alternately with the air receiving connection of the cylinder in its up position and with the lower connection to the air diversion tube when in its down position providing for the air to be advanced in an easy curved spiral course through both the direct and diverted loops.

3. In a piston valve assembly for wind instruments, the combination of a plurality of cylinders, direct air receiving connection thereto and air delivery connection therefrom, curved direct air connections between the said cylinders whereby there is air receiving and air delivery connection to and from each cylinder identical in form, an air diversion loop tube for each cylinder with its ends connected to each of said cylinders, a spirally rotatable piston valve in each of said cylinders with cross passage and ports for connecting the diversion tube with direct delivery connection when in depressed position and closed in up position, and a spirally disposed passage extending quarter round in said piston with the upper port disposed to connect alternately with the air delivery connection in up position and with the air receiving connection for the cylinder in depressed position and the lower port of which is adapted to connect alternately with the air receiving connection of the cylinder in its up position and with the lower connection to the air diversion tube when in its down position providing for the air to be advanced in an easy curved spiral course through both the direct and diverted loops.

l. In a piston valve assembly for wind instruments, the combination of a plurality of cylinders, direct air receiving connection thereto and air delivery connection therefrom, obliquely disposed downwardly curved direct air connections between the said cylinders whereby there is air receiving and air delivery connection to and from each cylinder identical in form, an air diversion loop tube for each cylinder with its ends connected to each of said cylinders, a spirally rotatable piston valve in each of said cylinders with cross passage and ports for con necting the upper end of the diversion tube with direct delivery connection when in depressed position and. closed in up position, and a spirally disposed passage in said piston with upper port disposed to connect alternately with the air delivery connection in up position and with the air receiving connection for the cylinder in d pressed position and the lower port o't which is adapted to connect alternately with the air receiving connection of the cylinder in up position and with the lower connection to the air diversion tube when in its down position providing for the air to be advanced in an easy curved spiralcourse through both the direct and diverted loops.

5. In a piston valve structure for wine instruments, the combination of a valve cylinder with direct air receiving connection thereto and air delivery connection therefrom, an air diversion loop tube with upper and lower intake connecticns to the said cylinder the upper ischarge of which is opposite the air delivery connection, a spirally rotatable piston valve in said cylinder with cross passage and ports for connecting one end of the diversion tube with the direct delivery connect-ion when in depressed position and closing it in the upper position, and a spirally disposed passage extending quarter round said piston with the upper part disposed to connect alternately with the air delivery connection in its up position and with the air receiving connection for the cylinder in its down position, the lower port of which is adapted to connect alternately with the air receiving connection of the cylinder in its up position and with the lower connection of the air diversion tube when in its down position providing for the air to be from, an air diversion loop tube with upper discharge and lower intake connections to the said cylinder, the upper of which is opposite the air delivery connection, a spirally rotatable piston valve in said cylinder with cross passage and ports zlior connecting one end of the diversion tube with the direct delivery connection when in depressed position and closing it in the upper position, and a spirally disposed passage extending quarter round said piston with the upper part disposed to connect alternately with the air delivery connection in its up position and with the air receiving connection for the cylinder in the down position providing for the air to be advanced in an easy curved spiral course through both the direct and diverted loops, the lower port of which is adapted to connect alternately with the air receiving connection of the cylinder in its up position and with the lower connection of the air diversion tube when in its down position.

.ln :1 piston valve structure, the combination of a cylinder with suitable connections for direct air delivery and with a diversion loop tube connected thereto, a spirally rotatable piston valve with suitable air passages and ports cooperating with the said cylinder, a spiral guide slot in the upper wall cf the said cylinder, a guide runner on a suite pivot carried by said piston and havlaterally projecting arms to swing into (act with the opposite sides of said guide slct, a cross arm for said guide runner pivot wi .h end loop, a threaded post for engaging said cross arm, a tension spring on the said post reacting on said cross arm, and an adjusting nut on the said post for adjusting the tension thereon.

8. in a piston valve structure, the combination of a cylinder with suitable connections for direct air delivery and with a diversion loop tube connected thereto, a spirally rotatable piston valve with suitable air pa and ports cooperating with the said cylinder, a pair of spiral guide slots disposed. on opposite sides in the upper wall i said cylinders, a guide runner at each side on the piston on a suitable pivot, and having a laterally projecting arm, and spring means to turn the same into engagement with the d guide slot to insure the smooth running and the even balance and reciprocation of said piston valve.

9. in a piston valve structure, the com ion of a cylinder with suitable connecfor direct air delivery and with a diu on loop tube connected thereto, a spiy rotatable piston valve with suitable air passages and ports cooperating with the said cylinder, a spiral guide slot in the upper wall oi" the said cylinder, a guide runner on a suitable pivot carried by said piston and having laterally projecting arms to swing into contact with the opposite sides of said guide slot, cross arm for said guide runner pivot with end loop, and spring tension means for said cross arm.

10. ln a piston valve structure, the com binaticn of a cylinder with suitable connections for directair delivery and with a diversion loop tube connected thereto, a spi- Ill rally rotatable piston valve with suitable air passages and ports cooperating with the said cylinder, a bottom head therefor with air passage therethrough with annular spring seat, and a central pad seat with cushion pad therein, an inverted conical spiral spring con nected to react longitudinally and spirally on said piston valve disposed in said piston with its top coil expanded into engaging contact therewith, anadjustable base for the bottom of said spring having a projecting hub frictionally embraced by the bottom coil of said spring, and a screw threaded support for the said base, a cup spring seat at the top of said support, a short coiled buffer spring therein, and a lock nut for said screw threaded support.

11. In a piston valve structure, the combination of a cylinder with suitable connections for direct air delivery and with a diversion loop tube connected thereto, a spirally rotatable piston valve with suitable air passages and ports cooperating with the said cylinder, an inverted conical spiral spring connected to react longitudinally and spirally on said piston valve disposed in said piston and with its top coil expanded into engaging contact therewith, and a base for the bottom of said spring having a project ing hub frictionally embraced by the bottom coil otsaid spring so that on compres sion the spring reacts torsionally to return the valve upwardly and spirally.

12, In a piston valve structure, the com bination of a cylinder with suitable connections for direct air delivery and with a diversion loop tube connected thereto, a spirally rotatable piston valve with suitable air passages and ports cooperating with the said cylinder, and an inverted conical spiral spring connected to react longitudinally and torsionally to aid in the spiral rotation on said piston valve.

13. In a piston valve structure, the combination of a cylinder with suitable connections for direct air delivery and with a diversion loop tube connected thereto, a spirally rotatable piston valve with suitable air passages and ports cooperating with the said cylinder, and a spiral spring connected to react longitudinally and torsionally on said piston valve in direction to aid in the spiral rotation, and a short buffer spring to cushion the down stroke of said valve.

14. In a piston valve structure, the combination of a cylinder with suitable connections for direct air delivery and with diversion loop tube connected thereto, a spirally rotatable piston valve with suitable connecting air passages for ports cooperating wi .i said cylinder, a spiral spring connection between said piston valve and casing, and a short butler spring in the bottom of said cylindrical casing to cushion the down stroke of the piston valve.

instruments, the combination of a suitable cylinder, a reciprocating spirally movable piston valve with longitudinal openings therethrough, a head for the bottom of said valve with annular spring seat, a central pad seat, a cushion pad therein, and a short coiled centrally disposed buffer spring in the bottom oi said cylinder coacting with said cushion.

1?. In a piston valve structure for wind instruments, the combination of a suitable cylinder, a reciprocating spirally movable piston valve with longitudinal openings therethrough, a head for the bottom of said valve with annular spring seat, and perforations near the periphery of said head for the passage of air and to permit the passage of lubricant to distribute to the valve when the instrument is at rest.

18. In piston valve structure, the combination of a cylinder with suitable connections for direct air delivery and with a diversion loop tube connected thereto, a spirally rotatable piston valve with suitable a-ir passages and ports cooperating with the said cylinder, a screw head with hub for said cylinder, a perforated top head for the said piston valve having an axially disposed journaled pin, a key-piece, a sleeve with flange at the bottom on the key-piece ournaled on said pin, a cap screw on the pin for retaining the said keypiece and valve together, a cushion on the key-piece to coact with the hub on the said cylinder head, and cushion springs between the said cylinder head and the flanged bottom of said tubular key stem, and a cup embracing said spring.

19. In a piston valve structure, the combination of a cylinder with suitable connections for direct air delivery and with a diversion loop tube connected thereto, a spirally rotatable piston valve with suitable air passages and ports cooperating with the said cylinder, a screw head with hub for said cylinder, a perforated top head for the said piston valve having an axially disposed journaled pin, a keypiece, a sleeve on the key-piece journaled on said pin, a cap screw on the pin for retaining the said key-piece and valve together, and a cushion on the key-piece to coact with the hub on the said cylinder head.

20. In a piston valve structure, the combination of a cylinder with suitable connections for direct air delivery and with a diversion loop tube connected thereto, a spirally rotatable piston valve with suitable air passages and ports cooperating with the said cylinder, a screw head with hub for said cylinder, a perforated top head for the said piston valve having an axially disposed journaled pin, a key-piece, a sleeve on the keypiece journaled on said pin, and a cap screw on the pin for retaining the said key-piece and valve together. I

21. In a piston valve structure for wind instruments, the combination of a suitable cylinder, a reciprocating spirally movable piston valve, a screw cap for the said cylinder with an oil port, and an oil hole in the said cylinder to be opened and closed by the turning of the said cap.

22. In a piston valve structure for wind instruments, the combination of a suitable cylinder with the grain of the metal disposed spirally, a reciprocating spirally movable piston valve the grain of the metal of which is disposed spirally to correspond with the grain of the metal of the said cylinder.

23. A valve structure for cupped mouth musical instruments having a spirally operating piston means involved in the structure, the grain of the material of the cylinder and piston having a direction corresponding to the movement of the said piston for decreasing the friction of the parts.

24. A valve structure for cupped mouth musical instruments having a spirally operating piston means involved in the structure, the grain of the material of the piston having a direction corresponding to the movement of the said piston for decreasing the friction of the parts.

25. A valve structure for cupped mouth musical instruments having a spirally operating piston means involved in the structure, the grain of the material of the cylin der having a direction corresponding to the movement of the said piston for decreasing the friction of the parts.

26. A valve structure for cupped mouth musical instruments having spirally operat ing piston means involved in the structure, an inverted conical spiral spring connected to react longitudinally and torsionally to aid in the spiral rotation of said piston.

27. A valve structure for cupped mouth musical instruments having spirally operating piston means involved in the structure, a spiral spring connected to react longitudinally and torsionally to aid in the spiral rotation of said piston.

28. A valve structure for cupped mouth musical instrui'nents having spirally operating piston means involved in the structure, a cylinder having opposed spiral slot surrounding the said piston, and opposed projecting pins on said piston having yielding cross arms disposed in the said slots.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

65 ALFRED J. JOHNSON. 

